Route · Langtang & Manaslu
Kathmandu to Chisapani
Chisapani (≈ 2,200 m) is the first night of the Helambu trail and the closest trekking village to Kathmandu. Drive about 15 km to Sundarijal, then walk 4 to 5 hours up through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Rough jeep tracks also reach the ridge.
The classic way. A car or taxi takes you from Thamel through Chabahil and Jorpati to Sundarijal, about 15 km. From the end of the road you climb stone steps beside the big water pipe, cross the reservoir dam, and continue through oak forest to the Tamang village of Mulkharka. The trail then rises to the pass at Borlang Bhanjyang, about 2,400 m, on the rim of the valley, and drops a little to Chisapani.
Unpaved roads now link Chisapani with the Kathmandu Valley, and four-wheel-drive jeeps can reach the village in dry weather. The ride is bumpy and dusty, and the roads become muddy or blocked in the monsoon. It is useful for families with small children, older travellers or anyone short of time who wants the sunrise view without the climb. Check road status in the rainy season.
Worth a stop on the way
- Sundarijal reservoir and dam
- Mulkharka
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park gate
- Borlang Bhanjyang pass
Local tip
Pay the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park fee at the Sundarijal gate and keep the receipt, as it is checked on the trail.
Questions
How long is the hike from Sundarijal to Chisapani?
Most people take 4 to 5 hours from Sundarijal (about 1,390 m) to Chisapani (about 2,200 m), with a climb of roughly 1,000 m including the pass at Borlang Bhanjyang. The first hour is a steep staircase beside the water pipe. After Mulkharka the trail eases through oak and rhododendron forest. Start by 9 am to arrive well before dark.
Do I need a permit to hike to Chisapani?
Yes. The trail runs through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, which charges an entry fee to foreign visitors, paid at the park gate near Sundarijal. Further on into Helambu you enter Langtang National Park and need its permit too. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks are required to go with a licensed guide; check current status before you travel.
Can I do Chisapani as an overnight trip from Kathmandu?
Yes, and it is one of the best short walks near the city. Walk up from Sundarijal on day one, sleep in a Chisapani lodge, watch the sunrise over Langtang, Jugal and Ganesh Himal, then walk down to Nagarkot or back to Sundarijal on day two. It suits travellers with two spare days who want a taste of trekking.
What is the best season to walk to Chisapani?
October to December gives the clearest mountain views. March and April are warmer and the rhododendrons are in bloom on the ridge, though haze often hides the high peaks by midday. From June to September the trail is muddy, leeches are common and clouds usually block the view. January nights at Chisapani can drop below freezing.